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Topic: Ramana Ashram (Read 48985 times)

As known to everyone Tiruvannamalai was reeling under the spell of worst drought in recent memory. Indeed, it was sad to see the last drop of water disappear from Sona Tirtham, Pali Tirtham, Simha Tirtham and many of other Tirthams. Many groups of devotees including our ashram organized prayers as enjoined in Scriptures to Lord Varuna, the rain God, for sending us rains. Individual devotees prayed in their own way by doing Giri-Pradakshina, chanting Hanuman Chalisa and other Prayers. However, it appeared that Rain Gods were in no hurry to answer our prayers. There was a general feeling of Why this delay Lord along the lines of Sri Ramana Maharshi asking Lord Arunachala in the prayer for cure of His mother's fever. Ashram was forced to cut down on visitors, spend hard cash to buy water and adopt austere measures to deal with the hardship brought by unexpected climate change.For the past fortnight or so there have been sporadic showers but still nothing like a heavy downpour. All that changed yesterday. There was such a heavy downpour that water running down the Hill turned into a violent stream breaking the wall between Seshadri Swamigal's ashram and Sri Ramana Ashram and blowing away the gates of Sri Ramanashram close to the Sri Dakshinamurty temple. (Is Nature asking us how dare you build walls between Saints). Not only that the forceful current of water entered the lane adjoining the Mourvi guest house and wreaked havoc blowing away everything on its way including a car, the walls of residential buildings and anything that stood in its way. Some devotees had to stand in knee-deep water in their own homes. Naturally ashram has lifted all the restriction on visitors coming to the ashram. Further all the sacred tanks are brimming with water now. We conclude the mercy of Lord by quoting from ten verses from Arunachala of Ramana Maharshi O Love in the shape of Arunachala! Thou causest Grace to well up in abundance and pour forth as a stream! Jai Arunachala

from FB Sri Ramana Maharshi Navarathri Celebrations 2017.16 h SALUTATIONS to the Divine Mother, Durga, who exists in all beings in the form of intelligence, mercy, beauty, who is the consort of Lord Shiva, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe.Devotees observe Navaratri festival up to four times a year the most important one being in the month of Ashwin or September-October. It lasts for nine days in honour of the nine manifestations of Durga. During Navaratri (the word literally means "nine nights") devotees of Durga observe a fast. The beginning of winter is a very important junctions of climatic and solar influence. This period is taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Divine Mother. The bodies and minds of people undergo a considerable change on account of the changes in Nature. Under the watchful eyes of the Great Master Sri Ramana Maharshi, Mother Durga will be worshiped during Navaratri. The nine day worship begins on September 21 and concludes on September 30. In the Ramana Ashram, the following are the regular features during the Durga Puja celebrations:1. A special ritualistic worship of the Mother is conducted daily, which includes the recitation of the Durga Saptashati.2. Laksharchana for the Mother in the temple, with recitation of the Sri Lalita Sahasranama, is also conducted.3. An elaborately decorated altar is set up for the evening worship, with the picture of Mother Durga for the first three days, Mother Lakshmi for the next three days, and Mother Saraswathi for the last three days. Many sacred verses from the scriptures are recited and many Kirtans are sung. The Durga Saptashati or the Devi Mahatmya is recited and explained in discourses. The function concludes with the formal floral worship and Arati. 4. Please refer to the attachment for daily program. Everyday devotees can view the evening Aarti live here www.gururama.net